Create your own wine label

UNITED STATES — What do Sting, Sarah Jessica Parker, David and Victoria Beckham, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Francis Ford Coppola, Jon Bon Jovi, John Legend, Dave Matthews and Fergie have in common? In addition to sharing world famous celebrity status, each of these stars has invested in the creation and marketing of their own wine label.

In the past, winemaking was considered insular, and winegrowers had a reputation for being distant, even a little stuffy. But in recent years, the world of wine has taken on a sense of glamor and sophistication.

An industry that was once considered cold is now seen as cool.

Stars like G̩rard Depardieu Рwho has owned wineries in France, Italy and the United States for more than three decades Рhave allowed celebrities to go beyond using their image to showcase wines to play. an active role in the development of their own thriving wine business. Another example is actor Sam Neil whose winery has been in business for 20 years. Then there are artists such as legendary rock guitarist Carlos Santana whose love affair with the wine industry resulted in a partnership to launch a sparkling vintage wine.

To create and launch their own labels, the two typical options for celebrities are either to invest in their own winery or to partner with an existing winery. For many celebrities who venture into the wine business in these basic scenarios, applying their social media platform is enough to effectively market a brand. Because celebrities bring this impressive marketing prowess to the table, many wineries seek them out to partner on a specific wine, creating another possibility for today’s stars.

For celebrities who wish to create their own label without forming these traditional formal partnerships, there are two main avenues: investing in the construction of a new winery or acquiring an existing one. Both options require a significant financial investment.

But now, from an iconic Paso Robles winemaker, comes a third way.

Erich Russell is a master winemaker. In 2022, he will enter his 50th year as a winemaker, having started his vocation as a teacher in San Diego. His rich wine history began as a teacher in San Diego, and winemaking was a personal passion. Russell attended San Jose State on a Track Scholarship where his many successes as a distance runner earned him the nickname “Rabbit” by his teammates – a handful he would enlist. years later by adapting Rabbit Ridge as the official name of his winery. From his home garage, Russell created a Chardonnay which he entered in the amateur division of a California State Fair winemaking competition – and won the gold medal. His victory caught the attention of Chateau St Jean de Sonoma who quickly offered Russell a job in the cellar of the famous winery. From there Russell was recruited by Simi Winery and moved to Belvedere Wine where he became both Chief Winemaker and President of the Premium Division.

After establishing Rabbit Ridge Winery in Sonoma in 1981, Russell entered the elite group of winemakers who won the coveted Connoisseur Guide.Winemaker of the year Price. It also had three wines which were ranked among the world’s top 100 wines by the prestigious Wine Spectators and a Zinfandel which became Food and Wines magazine’s best wine of the year.

When Rabbit Ridge began to make a name for itself, it became apparent that the estate had outgrown its Sonoma facilities. With his wife Joanne, Russell made several trips to Paso Robles, where he was won over by the region, finding it ideal for its traditional approach to winemaking. “I immediately fell in love with the climate and soils of the area and knew this was where I wanted to plant grapes and grow our wines,” Russell explains. In 1996, Russell and his family completed their first plantation as their vineyard expanded to include three wineries over 150 acres. Today, Erich Russell continues to apply his care and skills that have resulted in the sale of over three million cases of wine since the launch of Rabbit Ridge Winery in 1981, cultivating a variety of varietals on his vineyards.

Working with Rabbit Ridge Winery Director Steven Jones – a renowned Californian businessman and wine industry M&A consultant – the Paso Robles winemaker has devised a third path for celebrities looking to market their wine. own wine label.

“Wine is a personal business, reflecting the taste and style of its owner,” Jones said. From this philosophy, Russell and Jones offer a new opportunity to launch a label that includes the formulation of the wine, the branding of the label, the handling of all federal, state and local forms and regulations, aid in the bottle and label design, followed by oversight of all manufacturing and marketing. . Russell and Jones bring their vast expertise in winemaking, extensive business experience, successful business backgrounds and superior vineyards and impressive industrial fermentation tanks, while the celebrity brings his own vision of wine and the unique professional brand. The celebrity makes an initial investment that is only a fraction of what would be needed to build or buy a vineyard and shares a percentage of the profits with the establishment.

“There is no reason why a celebrity drawn to the wine industry cannot create and market their own label according to our formula for success,” said Jones.

Rabbit Ridge Winery can be visited online at https://rabbitridgewinery.com/.